Stung, Congress torchbearer spurns party, turns to Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena did not waste any time after former Congress national spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedis resignation over the reinstatement of party workers who misbehaved with her and snapped her up on FridayHigh command did not actThey may have the same name but this Priyanka received very different treatment from Congress workers than what the General Secretary of the AICC Uttar Pradesh must be used toThings moved fast on Friday after Chaturvedi a Mumbai native with north Indian roots sent her resignation to party President Rahul Gandhi in protest of the reinstatement of her violators in the partys Mathura unitThe Congress workers who were suspended for misbehaving with the national spokesperson were taken back in the party fold ahead of the elections Chaturvedi cried foul but the high command refused to act on her grievance Chaturvedi wanted to contest Lok Sabha elections either from Mathura or Mumbai North West The Sena inducted her on Friday afternoon at Uddhav Thackerays residence in a hurriedly called media conferenceSources said the Sena has offered Priyanka an Englishspeaking and proficient debater a Rajya Sabha seat when a sitting MP retires next year She is expected to be the Senas national spokesperson as well because the party doesnt have quality multilingual orators who have made a mark on media like televisionThackeray said Chaturvedi found the Senas ideology suitable We will ensure that Priyankas brilliance is used for the benefit of the country and Maharashtra My party has got a sister in her said Thackeray The Sena presidents son Aaditya tied a Shiv bandhan on Chaturvedis wrist to welcome her in the partyShiv Sena is the right partyMouthing the Senas trademark slogan Jai Maharashtra Chaturvedi said Mumbai was her place of birth and karmabhumi I want to serve Mumbai I think the Shiv Sena is the right party to ensure the welfare of youth and women I have been living here since my birth The Sena has been in my heart for years she said She said she did not quit the Congress because she was denied a nomination though she had expected itAlso ReadElections 2019 MP Rajesh Ranjan aka don Pappu Yadav is Seemanchals Robin Hood prince nowWomen politicians speak outBJP spokesperson Shaina NC had earlier this month spoken about womens representation in the field of politics My basic stance is that we need more representation across the board We are barely 11 per cent in the Parliament and nine per cent in the state Barring Mamata Banerjee and Naveen Patnaik no one has ensured more seats for women she said while backing Chaturvedis decision of quitting the partyAsked how the picture looks in the BJP she said that womens representation in the party in the state was around seven per cent It is better than that of other parties where the percentage is as low as one and two We are definitely on the right path but a lot more needs to be done she insistedDelhi MLA AAP Alka Lamba too shared similar thoughts I too was with the Congress for 20 years and am now an AAP MLA but the situation is similar everywhere If I ask for a ticket I am called selfish No male candidates are called that Why Lamba questioned adding that AAP has six women MLAs in Delhi but none have been given any ministrys chargeVinaya PatilAlso ReadElections 2019 All is well saffron alliance assures its workersCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates